Vacuum cleaner

ABSTRACT

A vacuum cleaner may include: a cleaner body having a suction motor; a suction unit in communication with the cleaner body and to suction air and dust; a battery; a battery management system configured to detect a state of the battery; a charger configured to apply a charging current to the battery and thus to charge the battery; a body connector to which a charging connector for supplying commercial power to the cleaner body is able to be separably connected; and a controller configured to control charging of the battery. The controller may attempt charging of the battery when it is detected that the charging connector is connected to the body connector, and the controller may reattempt the charging of the battery when the charging of the battery is not normally performed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 and 35 U.S.C. §365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0013290, filed Jan. 28, 2015, the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments may relate to a vacuum cleaner.

2. Background

A vacuum cleaner is a device that suctions air containing dust using a suction force generated by a suction motor installed at a main body, and then filters the dust in the main body.

The vacuum cleaner may be classified into a manual cleaner and an automatic cleaner. The manual cleaner is a cleaner in which a user directly performs cleaning, and the automatic cleaner is a cleaner that performs the cleaning while moving by itself.

The manual cleaner may be classified into a canister type in which a suction nozzle is provided separately from the main body, and connected through a connection tube, and an upright type in which the suction nozzle is coupled to the main body.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2006-0118796 (published on Nov. 24, 2006), which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a power cord withdrawing port of a cleaner. A cord reel assembly may be provided in a main body, and the main body may receive electric power by connecting the power cord to an electrical outlet. Since the cleaner receives the electric power through the cord reel assembly, the cleaner may be moved by a length of the cord wound on the cord reel assembly when cleaning is performed using the cleaner, and thus the cleaning is limited.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments may be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective of a main body of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for charging a battery according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for charging the battery according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for charging the battery according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the vacuum cleaner according to a fourth embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the vacuum cleaner according to a fifth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference may now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the embodiments may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the embodiments. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) and/or the like may be used herein when describing components of embodiments. Each of these terminologies is not used to define an essence, order or sequence of a corresponding component, but is used merely to distinguish the corresponding component from other component(s). It should be noted that if it is described in the specification that one component is “connected,” “coupled” or “joined” to another component, the former may be directly “connected,” “coupled,” and “joined” to the latter or “connected”, “coupled”, and “joined” to the latter via another component.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective of a main body of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment. Other embodiments and configurations may also be provided.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a vacuum cleaner 1 according to the embodiment may include a cleaner body 10 that has a suction motor 160 generating a suction force, and a suction device 20 that guides air containing dust into the cleaner body 10.

The suction device 20 may include a suction unit 21 that suctions the dust on a surface to be cleaned (e.g. a floor surface), and connection units 22, 23 and 24 that connect the suction unit 21 to the cleaner body 10.

The connection units 22, 23 and 24 may include an extension tube 24 that is connected to the suction unit 21, a handle 22 that is connected to the extension tube 24, and a suction hose 23 that connects the handle 22 with the cleaner body 10.

The vacuum cleaner 1 may further include a dust separator that separates the air suctioned into the suction device 20 from the dust, and a dust container 110 that stores the dust separated in the dust separator.

The dust container 110 may be separably installed at the cleaner body 10. The dust separator may be manufactured separately from the dust container 110, or may form one module with the dust container 110.

The vacuum cleaner 1 may further include a battery unit 120 that has a battery 121 supplying electric power for operating the suction motor 160, a charger 140 that charges the battery 121, and a charging connector 30 that is detachably connected to the cleaner body 10 and supplies commercial electric power to the cleaner body 10.

The battery unit 120 may include a housing 122 that protects the battery 121.

The charging connector 30 may include a plug 31 that is connected to an electrical outlet, and a first connector 32 that is connected to the cleaner body 10. The cleaner body 10 may include a second connector 102 (referred to as a body connector) to which the first connector 32 is connected.

The cleaner body 10 may include a first body 101, and a second body 103 coupled to a lower side of the first body 101. A wheel 105 may be coupled to each of both sides of the second body 103.

The suction motor 160, the battery unit 120 and the charger 140 may be installed at the second body 103. The suction motor 160 may be protected by a motor housing 162. That is, the suction motor 160 may be accommodated in the motor housing 162.

The battery unit 120 may be located at a lateral side of the motor housing 162 (i.e., a lateral side of the suction motor 160), but embodiments are not limited thereto.

The suction motor 160 and the battery 121 may be located between a plurality of wheels 105. The battery unit 120 may be located between the suction motor 160 and one of the plurality of wheels 105, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

The charger 140 may be located at a position that is spaced apart from the battery unit 120.

As another example, the battery unit 120 may be provided at the suction unit 21. However, in this example, the connection units 22, 23 and 24 may serve to transfer the electric power of the battery 121 to the cleaner body 10. That is, an electric wire may be provided at the connection units 22, 23 and 24.

The dust container 110 may be separably coupled to the first body 101. The second connector 102 may be provided at the first body 101.

The battery 121 may include a plurality of battery cells. The plurality of battery cells may be secondary cells that are rechargeable and dischargeable. The plurality of battery cells may be connected in series.

In at least one embodiment, a maximum charging voltage (i.e., a sum of voltages of the plurality of battery cells) that is chargeable to the battery 121 may exceed 42.4 V, for example. For example, the maximum charging voltage of the battery 121 may be 84.8 V or more, and thus is less than a commercial voltage of 220 V.

The charger 140 may perform rectifying and smoothing, may receive a commercial AC voltage, and then may convert the AC voltage into a DC voltage. The DC voltage converted by the charger 140 may be supplied to the battery 121. For example, the charger 140 may convert (forcibly reduce) the commercial AC voltage of 220 V into a DC voltage of more than 42.4 V.

The charger 140 may include a transformer 141 that transforms the input AC voltage, and an AC-DC converter 142 that converts the AC voltage output from the transformer 141 into the DC voltage. The DC voltage output from the AC-DC converter 142 may exceed 42.4 V.

As another example, the DC voltage output from the AC-DC converter 142 may be transformed by the transformer 141. In this example, the DC voltage output from the transformer 141 may exceed 42.4 V.

As another example, the charger 140 may not include (or use) a transformer, and the AC-DC converter 142 may include a circuit for preventing the DC voltage from being converted into the AC voltage. That is, the AC-DC converter 142 may be an insulated converter. In the embodiment, since the AC-DC converter 142 may have a well-known configuration, a description thereof may be omitted.

In at least one embodiment, the suction motor 160 may be a BLDC motor, for example. A maximum output of the suction motor 160 may be 400 W or more, for example.

According to the embodiment, since the DC voltage of more than 42.4 V may be output from the charger 140, and the maximum charging voltage of the battery 121 may be 84.8 V or more, the suction motor 160 may generate a larger output, and thus the suction force of the vacuum cleaner may be increased, and cleaning performance may be enhanced.

Since the charging connector 30 may be connected to the vacuum cleaner 1 only when the battery 121 is being charged, and the charging connector 30 may be separated from the vacuum cleaner 1 when cleaning is performed using the vacuum cleaner 1, a freedom of travel of the vacuum cleaner may be enhanced.

That is, since the vacuum cleaner 1 receives electric power from the battery 121 without a separate cord reel on which the electric wire is wound, a travel range of the vacuum cleaner 1 may not be limited, and also since it is not necessary to cross the electric wire or to remove the electric wire while the vacuum cleaner 1 is traveling, it may be easy to travel.

In at least one embodiment, since the battery 121 is electrically connected to the second connector 102, and the maximum charging voltage of the battery 121 may be 84.8 V or more, when the transformer 141 is not included (or used), a user may be in danger by being in contact with the second connector 102. However, in at least one embodiment, since the charger 140 includes the transformer 141, the transformer 141 may serve as an insulator, and user safety may be enhanced.

The vacuum cleaner 1 may further include a battery management system (BMS) 180. The BMS 180 may detect a state of each of the plurality of battery cells, and the BMS 180 may transmit information of the state to a controller 150.

For example, the BMS 180 may detect a voltage of each of the plurality of battery cells.

The BMS 180 may enable the voltage among the plurality of battery cells to be uniformly maintained when each of the plurality of battery cells is charged or discharged. That is, the BMS 180 may manage discharging of each of the plurality of battery cells so that the electric power is supplied from each of the plurality of battery cells to the suction motor 160.

The BMS 180 may include a first switch 182 and a second switch 184. The first switch 182 may be switched off when the battery 121 has a reference temperature or more. The first switch 182 may be switched off to prevent the charging from being performed when the battery 121 has the reference temperature or more, and thus to protect the battery 121. A state in which the first switch 182 is switched off may be referred to as a battery protection mode.

When the first switch 182 is switched off, charging of the battery 121 is not performed. When the battery 121 has a temperature less than the reference temperature, the first switch 182 may be switched on, and the battery 121 may be charged while the first switch 182 is switched on.

The second switch 184 may be switched off when the battery 121 has the reference temperature or more during the discharging of the battery 121.

The controller 150 may control the suction motor 160, and the controller 150 may control an operation of the suction motor 160 according to the voltage of the battery 121.

The controller 150 may include a current detection unit 172 that detects a current. The controller 150 may further include a voltage detection unit 174 that detects a voltage.

The controller 150 may determine whether the battery 121 is fully charged based on one or more of the current detected by the current detection unit 172 and the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit 174. The full charging of the battery 121 means that the charging of the battery 121 is completed.

The controller 150 may further include a charging switch 176. The charging switch 176 may be switched on to charge the battery 121. The charging switch 176 may be switched off when the battery 121 is fully charged.

The vacuum cleaner 1 may further include a user interface 178. The user interface 178 may receive an operation command of the vacuum cleaner 1, and may also display operation information or state information of the vacuum cleaner 1.

The user interface 178 may be provided at one or more of the handle 22 and the cleaner body 10. The user interface 178 may include an input unit and a display unit (or display) that are formed integrally with or separately from each other. The user interface 178 may include a notice unit (or speaker) from which a sound is output.

Power-on of the vacuum cleaner 1, a cleaning mode, an intensity of the suction force and so on may be selected by using the input unit. The display unit may display at least residual information of the battery 121.

For example, an intensity of the suction force may be gradually set to one of a maximum state (having a maximum suction force), a middle state and a minimum state (having a minimum suction force). The intensity of the suction force of the suction motor 160 may be selected through the input unit. Accordingly, intensity of the suction force may be controlled in three stages. However, the number of stages that classify the intensity of the suction force is not limited.

When a residual value of the battery 121 reaches a reference voltage, the controller 150 may control the display unit to display information notifying that it is necessary to charge the battery 121. The reference voltage may be stored in a memory.

As another example, the display unit (or display) may continuously or gradually display the residual value of the battery 121. For example, the display unit may display the residual value of the battery 121 in figures, by symbols and/or in the form of a graph. Alternatively, the display unit may include a plurality of light emitting parts, and may display the residual value of the battery 121 by changing the number of light emitting parts that are turned on. Alternatively, the display unit may display the residual value of the battery 121 by changing a color of light emitted from the light emitting parts.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for charging the battery according to the first embodiment. Other operations, embodiments and configurations may also be provided.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the user may perform cleaning using the cleaner body 10. After the cleaning is completed, the battery 121 may be charged.

The user may perform cleaning in a state in which the charging connector 30 is detached from the cleaner body 10. To charge the battery 121, the user may connect the charging connector 30 to the cleaner body 10. That is, the cleaner body 10 may be waiting for connection of the charging connector 30 (S1).

The controller 150 may determine whether the charging connector 30 is connected to the cleaner body 10 (S2). The plug 31 of the charging connector 30 may be in a connected state to the electric outlet.

When the charging connector 30 is connected to the cleaner body 10, the current detected by the current detection unit 172 may vary, and the controller 150 may determine or detect whether the charging connector 30 is connected based on a change in the current detected by the current detection unit 172. However, a method for determining whether the charging connector 30 is connected is not limited thereto.

As a result determined in operation S2, when it is determined that the charging connector 30 is connected to the cleaner body 10, the controller 150 determines whether the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit 174 is a full charging voltage or more (S3).

When the first switch 182 of the BMS 180 is switched off, the charging of the battery 121 may not be performed, and a commercial voltage applied to the charger 140 may be detected by the voltage detection unit 174. The commercial voltage may be greater than the full charging voltage of the battery 121. Alternatively, while the battery 121 is in a fully charged state, the user may again connect the charging connector 30 to the cleaner body 10. In this example, the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit 174 may be substantially the same as the full charging voltage.

However, when the first switch 182 of the BMS 180 is in an ON state, the voltage detection unit 174 may detect a voltage less than the full charging voltage, and charging of the battery 121 may be performed.

Therefore, the operation S3 may be referred to as an operation of determining whether the battery is chargeable, or an operation of determining the battery protection mode.

As a result determined in operation S3, when the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit 174 is less than the full charging voltage, a charging signal for charging the battery 121 is generated from the controller 150 (S4). The charging switch 176 may then be switched on.

When the charging switch 176 is switched on, a current for the charging may be applied to the battery 121, and charging of the battery 121 may be performed.

While the charging of the battery 121 is being performed, the controller 150 determines whether the battery is fully charged (S6). For example, the controller 150 may determine whether the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit 174 reaches the full charging voltage.

Alternatively, the controller 150 may determine whether the current detected by the current detection unit 172 is a full charging reference current or less. For example, while the charging of the battery 121 is being performed, a current value detected by the current detection unit 172 may be a first current value. When the battery 121 is fully charged, the current value detected by the current detection unit 172 may be a second current value, and the second current value may be less than the first current value. That is, when the battery 121 is fully charged, the current value detected by the current detection unit 172 may be reduced.

Alternatively, the controller 150 may determine whether the battery 121 is fully charged based on the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit 174 and the current detected by the current detection unit 172.

As a result detected in operation S6, when the battery 121 is determined to be fully charged, the controller 150 may finish charging of the battery 121 (S12). For example, the controller 150 may switch off the charging switch 176.

When the charging of the battery 121 is completed, information notifying that the charging is completed may be generated (or provided) from the user interface 178.

As the result determined in operation S3, when the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit 174 is the full charging voltage or greater, the charging signal for charging the battery 121 may be generated (or provided) from the controller 150 (S7). The charging switch 176 may then be switched on (S8).

The controller 150 may then determine whether an average value of the current detected for a predetermined period of time by the current detection unit 172 is a reference current value or greater (S9).

If the first switch 182 of the BMS 180 is in an OFF state, a charging current is not applied to the battery 121 even though the charging switch 176 is switched on, and thus current detected by the current detection unit 172 may be 0.

When the first switch 182 of the BMS 180 is in the OFF state, the average value of the current detected for the predetermined period of time by the current detection unit 172 is less than the reference current value.

In at least one embodiment, the operation S9 may be referred to as an operation of determining whether the first switch is switched on, or an operation of determining whether the battery protection mode is released.

Therefore, as a result determined in operation S9, when the average value of the current detected for the predetermined period of time by the current detection unit 172 is less than the reference current value, the controller 150 switches off the charging switch 176.

After a predetermined time passes from when the charging switch 176 is switched off, the controller 150 may again generate (or provide) the charging signal, and may switch on the charging switch 176.

The first switch 182 may be switched on when the temperature of the battery 121 is less than the reference temperature. As described above, when the first switch 182 is switched on, the battery 121 may be chargeable.

Since the charging current is applied to the battery 121 when the first switch 182 is switched on, the average value of the current detected by the current detection unit 172 is the reference current value or greater.

As the result determined in operation S9, when the average value of the current detected for the predetermined period of time by the current detection unit 172 is the reference current value or greater, the battery 121 is being charged, and thus the controller 150 determines whether the battery 121 is fully charged (S11). The determination method in operation S11 may be the same as or different from that in operation S6.

As a result of operation S11, when the battery 121 is determined to be fully charged, the controller 150 may finish charging of the battery 121 (S12). For example, the controller 150 may switch off the charging switch 176.

When the charging of the battery 121 is completed, information notifying that the charging is completed may be generated or provided from the user interface 178.

According to at least one embodiment, when connection of the charging connector 30 is detected, the charging is attempted, and it may be determined whether the charging will be reattempted based on the current value detected by the current detection unit 172. That is, when the charging is primarily attempted, and then the battery 121 is not charged, the charging of the battery 121 may be reattempted. At this time, reattempt times may be one or more.

An embodiment may have the following effects.

If operation S3 and operations S7 to S10 are not implemented in the embodiment (i.e., when the connection of the charging connector 30 is detected), and the charging signal is generated to switch on the charging switch 176, and then it is determined whether the charging of the battery is completed based on the result detected by the voltage detection unit 174, it is determined that the battery 121 is fully charged, while the first switch 182 is in the OFF state, and thus the charging of the battery 121 is not performed.

In this example, the user may recognize that the charging of the battery 121 is being performed or the charging of the battery 121 is completed, but charging of the battery 121 is not actually performed, and thus the user may misunderstand that the vacuum cleaner is broken.

In this example, to charge the battery 121, the user may separate the charging connector 30 from the cleaner body 10, and then may again connect the charging connector 30. Even in this example, it may be impossible to charge the battery 121 when the first switch 182 is in the OFF state.

However, according to at least one embodiment, even when it is determined that the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit 174 is greater than the full charging voltage, the charging signal is generated (or provided), the charging switch 176 is switched on, and the charging is attempted several times. Therefore, even when the charging connector 30 is connected to the cleaner body 10 while the first switch 182 is in the OFF state, it is possible to charge the battery 121.

That is, after the charging connector 30 is connected to the cleaner body 10 while the first switch 182 is in the OFF state, when the charging signal is generated (or provided), and the charging switch 176 is switched on to attempt the charging, it is possible the battery 121 may be charged if the first switch 182 is in the ON state.

Therefore, according to at least one embodiment, in an example in which the charging connector 30 is connected to the cleaner body 10, the battery 121 may be charged regardless of the ON/OFF state of the first switch 182.

When the user interface 178 is configured to discriminately display whether the battery 121 is being charged and whether the charging is completed, the battery 121 is not actually charged even when operations S7 to S10 are being performed, but the user interface 178 may generate (or provide) information notifying that the battery 121 is being charged.

The above-described embodiment has described that, when the connection of the charging connector 30 is detected, a determination is made regarding whether the detected voltage is the full charging voltage or greater. However, operations S3 to S6 may be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for charging the battery according to a second embodiment. Other operations, embodiments and configurations may also be provided.

This embodiment may be the same as the first embodiment, except the operation of determining the battery protection mode and the operation of determining whether the battery protection mode is released. Therefore, only characteristic parts of the embodiment may be described.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, when it is determined that charging connector 30 is connected to the cleaner body 10, the controller 150 may determine whether the average value of the current detected by the current detection unit 172 is the first reference current value or less (S13).

When the first switch 182 is in the OFF state, the current detected by the current detection unit 172 may be 0. Accordingly, the average value of the current detected by the current detection unit 172 is less than a first reference current value.

However, when the first switch 182 is in the ON state, the average value of the current detected by the current detection unit 172 is greater than the first reference current value.

In at least one embodiment, as a result determined in operation S13, when the average value of the current detected by the current detection unit 172 is the first reference current value or less, the battery protection mode is determined, and the charging signal for charging the battery 121 is generated (or provided) from the controller 150 (S7). The charging switch 176 may be switched on (S8).

According to at least one embodiment, since the average value of the current is compared with the first reference current value, an error in determination due to a sensing error of the detected current may be reduced.

The controller 150 may determine whether the average value of the current detected for a predetermined period of time by the current detection unit 172 is a second reference current value or more (S19). At this time, the first reference current value and the second reference current value may be the same as each other or different from each other.

Therefore, as a result of operation S19, when the average value of the current detected for the predetermined period of time by the current detection unit 172 is less than the second reference current value, the controller 150 switches off the charging switch 176 (S10).

However, as the result determined in operation S19, when the average value of the current detected for the predetermined period of time by the current detection unit 172 is the second reference current value or more, operation S11 and operation S12 may be performed.

As the result of operation S13, when the average value of the current detected by the current detection unit 172 is greater than the first reference current value, operations S4 to S6 and operation S12 may be performed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for charging the battery according to a third embodiment. Other operations, embodiments and configurations may also be provided.

This embodiment may be the same as the first embodiment, except operation of determining the battery protection mode and operation of determining whether the battery protection mode is released. Therefore, only characteristic parts of the embodiment may be described.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, when it is determined that the charging connector 30 is connected to the cleaner body 10, the controller 150 may determine whether a value of the current detected by the current detection unit 172 is the first reference current value or less (S23).

When the first switch 182 is in the OFF state, the current detected by the current detection unit 172 may be 0. Accordingly, the value of the current detected by the current detection unit 172 is smaller than the first reference current value.

However, when the first switch 182 is in the ON state, a value of the current detected by the current detection unit 172 is greater than the first reference current value.

In at least one embodiment, as a result determined in operation S23, when the value of the current detected by the current detection unit 172 is the first reference current value or less, the battery protection mode is determined, and the charging signal for charging the battery 121 is generated (or provided) from the controller 150 (S7). The charging switch 176 may then be switched on (S8).

The controller 150 may determine whether the value of the current detected by the current detection unit 172 is a second reference current value or greater (S29). The first reference current value and the second reference current value may be the same as each other or different from each other.

Therefore, as a result of operation S29, when the value of the current detected by the current detection unit 172 is less than the second reference current value, the controller 150 switches off the charging switch 176 (S10).

However, as the result of operation S29, when the value of the current detected by the current detection unit 172 is the second reference current value or more, operation S11 and operation S12 may be performed.

As the result determined in operation S23, when the value of the current detected by the current detection unit 172 is greater than the first reference current value, operations S4 to S6 and operation S12 may be performed.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the vacuum cleaner according to a fourth embodiment. Other operations, embodiments and configurations may also be provided.

This embodiment may be the same as one or more of the first to third embodiments, except that a charger is detachably connected to the vacuum cleaner. Therefore, only characteristic parts of the embodiment may be described.

Referring to FIG. 7, a charger 144 may be detachably connected to the cleaner body 10.

The charger 144 may include a power cord that is connected to an electric outlet, and a charger connector (referred to as a first connector) that is connected the second connector 102 of the cleaner body 10.

The charger 144 may perform rectifying and smoothing, the charger 144 may receive a commercial AC voltage, and then may convert the AC voltage into a DC voltage. The charger 144 may supply the converted DC voltage to the cleaner body 10. For example, the charger 144 may convert a commercial AC voltage of 220 V into a DC voltage of 42.4 V or less, and then may supply the DC voltage to the cleaner body 10.

In at least one embodiment, to operate the high-power suction motor 160 using the voltage charged in the battery 121, the cleaner body 10 may further include a boosting transformer 190 that receives the DC voltage of 42.4 V or less from the charger 144 and boosts the DC voltage.

For example, the boosting transformer 190 may be a boost converter, but embodiments are not limited to a configuration of the boosting transformer 190.

In at least one embodiment, the DC voltage of 42.4 V or less input to the boosting transformer 190 may be boosted twice or more so that the battery 121 is charged with a voltage of 84.8 V or greater.

The boosting transformer 190 may include an inductor, a diode, a capacitor and a switching element. The switching element may be repeatedly switched on and off at high speed by the controller 150 so that the boosting transformer 190 boosts the input voltage.

The switching element may be configured with a MOSFET, but is not limited thereto. The switching element may be configured with a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and/or the like.

One of the methods for charging the battery according to the first to third embodiments may be applied to this embodiment. However, operation S2 may be changed into detecting of the connection of the charger (the connection of the first connector), rather than the detecting of the connection of the charging connector.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the vacuum cleaner according to a fifth embodiment. Other embodiments and configurations may also be provided.

This embodiment may be the same as the fourth embodiment, except a position of the boosting transformer and a full charging voltage of the battery. Therefore, only characteristic parts of the embodiment may be described.

Referring to FIG. 8, for example, a maximum charging voltage of a battery 123 may be 42.4 V or less.

To operate the high-power suction motor 160 using the battery 123 of this embodiment, a boosting transformer 192 that boosts a voltage of the battery 123 may be provided at the cleaner body 10.

For example, the boosting transformer 192 may be a boost converter, but embodiments are not limited to a configuration of the boosting transformer 192.

The DC voltage of 42.4 V or less output from the battery 123 may be boosted by the boosting transformer 192, and then may be supplied to the suction motor 160.

The boosting transformer 192 may boost an output voltage of the battery 123 twice or more. For example, the boosting transformer 192 may output a DC voltage of 84.8 V or more. Since the boosting transformer 192 can output the DC voltage of 84.8 V or more, a current to operate the suction motor 160 may be reduced, and a configuration of a circuit necessary to operate the suction motor 160 may be simplified.

One of the methods for charging the battery according to the first to third embodiments may be applied to the present embodiment. However, operation S2 may be changed into detecting of the connection of the charger, rather than the detecting of the connection of the charging connector.

The above-described embodiments have described an example in which the vacuum cleaner is a canister type cleaner. However, embodiments may also be applied to an upright type cleaner. The battery that supplies the electric power to the suction motor may be provided at the suction unit or the cleaner body. The above-described charger may also be provided at the suction unit or the cleaner body. The charging connector may be connected to the suction unit or the cleaner body.

Even though all elements of embodiments are coupled into one or operated in a combined state, embodiments are not limited to such an embodiment. That is, all elements may be selectively combined with each other without departing from the scope of embodiments. Further, when it is described that one includes (or have) some elements, it should be understood that it may include (or include or have) only those elements, or it may include (or include or have) other elements as well as those elements if there is no specific limitation. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms comprising technical or scientific terms are to be given meanings understood by those skilled in the art. Like terms defined in dictionaries, generally used terms needs to be construed as meaning used in technical contexts and are not construed as ideal or excessively formal meanings unless otherwise clearly defined herein.

Embodiments are directed to a vacuum cleaner that may be convenient to travel.

Embodiments are directed to a vacuum cleaner that enables a battery to be easily charged after the battery is discharged.

According to an aspect, there is provided a vacuum cleaner including: a cleaner body having a suction motor that generates a suction force; a suction unit configured to be in communication with the cleaner body and to suction air and dust; a battery configured to supply electric power to the suction motor; a battery management system configured to detect a state of the battery; a charger configured to apply a charging current to the battery and thus to charge the battery; a body connector to which a charging connector for supplying commercial power to the cleaner body is detachably connected; and a controller configured to control charging of the battery, wherein the controller attempts the charging of the battery, when it is detected that the charging connector is connected to the body connector, and reattempts the charging of the battery, when the charging of the battery is not normally performed.

According to another aspect, there is provided a vacuum cleaner including: a cleaner body having a suction motor that generates a suction force; a suction unit configured to be in communication with the cleaner body and to suction air and dust; a battery configured to supply electric power to the suction motor; a battery management system configured to detect a state of the battery; a charger configured to apply a charging current to the battery and thus to charge the battery, and detachably connected to the cleaner body; and a controller configured to control charging of the battery, wherein the controller attempts the charging of the battery, when connection of the charger is detected, and reattempts the charging of the battery, when the charging of the battery is not normally performed.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a cleaner body; a suction motor to generate a suction force; a suction unit to be in communication with the cleaner body and to suction air; a battery to supply power to the suction motor; a battery management system configured to detect information regarding the battery; a charger configured to apply a charging current to the battery for charging the battery; a body connector to receive a charging connector for supplying power to the cleaner body; and a controller configured to control charging of the battery, wherein when the charging connector is determined to be coupled to the body connector, the controller to attempt the charging of the battery, and when the charging of the battery is not normally performed, the controller to reattempt the charging of the battery.
 2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, comprising a charging switch to allow or stop the charging current from the charger, and the charging switch to be changed to be on when the charging of the battery is attempted.
 3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein when the charging of the battery is not normally performed after the charging switch is changed to be on, the controller changes the charging switch to be off, and then after a predetermined time, the controller changes the charging switch to be on again.
 4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, comprising a current detection unit that detects a current applied to the battery, and when an average value or a value of the current detected by the current detection unit is less than a reference current value, the controller changes the charging switch to be off, and then after the predetermined time, the controller changes the charging switch to be on again.
 5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, wherein when the average value or the value of the current detected by the current detection unit is less than the reference current value, the controller determines whether the battery is fully charged, and when the battery is determined to be fully charged, the controller finishes the charging of the battery.
 6. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 5, wherein the controller finishes the charging of the battery by changing the charging switch to be off.
 7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, comprising a voltage detection unit that detects a voltage of the battery, and when the charging connector is determined to be coupled to the body connector, the controller determines whether the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit is a full charging voltage or greater, and when the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit is the full charging voltage or greater, the controller attempts the charging of the battery, and then the controller determines whether the battery is normally charged.
 8. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, wherein the controller repeatedly attempts the charging of the battery until the battery is determined to be normally charged.
 9. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, wherein the battery management system includes a switch to change to be off to protect the battery when the battery has a predetermined temperature or greater, and the switch to change to be off when an average value or a value of a current detected by a current detection unit is a reference current value or less.
 10. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the controller includes a current detection unit that detects a current of the battery, and when the charging connector is determined to be coupled to the body connector, the controller determines whether a value or an average value of the current detected by the current detection unit is a reference current value or less, and when the value or the average value of the current detected by the current detection unit is determined to be the reference current value or less, the controller attempts the charging of the battery, and then the controller determines whether the battery is normally charged.
 11. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the controller repeatedly attempts the charging of the battery until the battery is determined to be normally charged.
 12. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the battery management system includes a switch to change to be off to protect the battery when the battery has a predetermined temperature or greater, and the switch to change to be off when the average value or the value of the current detected by the current detection unit is the reference current value or less.
 13. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 12, wherein when the switch is changed to be on, the controller to determine that the battery is normally charged.
 14. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a cleaner body; a suction motor to generate a suction force; a suction unit to be in communication with the cleaner body and to suction air; a battery to supply power to the suction motor; a battery management system configured to detect information regarding the battery; a charger configured to apply a charging current to the battery, for charging the battery, and the charger to be detachably coupled to the cleaner body; and a controller configured to control charging of the battery, wherein when the charger is determined to be coupled to the cleaner body, the controller to attempt the charging of the battery, and when the charging of the battery is not normally performed, the controller to reattempt the charging of the battery.
 15. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 14, comprising a charging switch to allow or stop the charging current from the charger, and the charging switch to be changed to be on when the charging of the battery is attempted.
 16. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 15, wherein when the charging of the battery is not normally performed after the charging switch is changed to be on, the controller changes the charging switch to be off, and then after a predetermined time, the controller changes the charging switch to be on again.
 17. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 16, comprising a current detection unit that detects a current applied to the battery, and when an average value or a value of the current detected by the current detection unit is less than a reference current value, the controller changes the charging switch to be off, and then after the predetermined time, the controller changes the charging switch to be on again.
 18. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a cleaner body; a suction motor to generate a suction force; a suction unit to be in communication with the cleaner body and to suction air; a battery to supply power to the suction motor; a battery management system configured to detect information regarding the battery; a second connector to couple to a first connector for applying power for charging the battery; and a controller to control charging of the battery, wherein when the first connector is determined to be coupled to the second connector, the controller to attempt the charging of the battery, and when the charging of the battery is not normally performed, the controller to reattempt the charging of the battery.
 19. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 18, comprising a charging switch to allow or stop the charging current for charging the battery, and the charging switch to be changed to be on when the charging of the battery is attempted, and when the charging of the battery is not normally performed, the controller changes the charging switch to be off, and then after the predetermined time, the controller changes the charging switch to be on again.
 20. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 19, comprising a current detection unit that detects a current applied to the battery, and when an average value or a value of the current detected by the current detection unit is less than a reference current value, the controller changes the charging switch to be off, and then after the predetermined time, the controller changes the charging switch to be on again. 